Figure toy



A. -W. TUPPER May 12, 1925.

FIGURE TOY Filed April 28. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WNVENTOR.

w W T T A Maj 12, 1925.

A. W. TUPPER rmuna rev Filed A ru. 2Q, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedMay 12, 1925.

ARTHUR if. TUPPEE,

OF REVEB'DALE, IvIARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF ,TO

DWIGHT B. GALT, OF RIVERDALE, MARYLAND.

FIGURE TOY.

,Applilcation filed April 28, 1321.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ARTHUR W. TUPPER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Riverdale, in the county of Prince Georges and State ofldaryland, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in FigureToys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to toys, particularly to figure toys,an object of the invention being to provide means of an improved andsimplified nature for causing the figure of the device to simulatelife-like movements, and further to assumegrotesque attitudes and topass through peculiar and novel movements or gyrations during operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of suchcharacter that a suitable amount of initial movement applied to thefigure will cause the latter to move a comparatively long time, the spled at which the figure moves determining to great extent the nature ofthe gyrations through which the latter passes.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In (the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a side elevation, parts in section, taken through a toyconstructed in accordance with the invention, and illustrating oneembodiment thereof,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating one position the figure willassume when in operation,

Figure 3 is a similar view with the iiigure in a further changedposition,

Figure at is a similar view with the figure in a still further position,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the toy and showing a slightmodification'thereo'f,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation showing means which may beemployed to secure the weight to one of the movable members of thefigure,

Figure 7 is an edge-view of theanernber shown in Figurefi,

Figure 8 illustrates a modified formiof the figure,

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the device shownin Figure 8,

Figure 10 shows a modified form of the means to be employed in attachingthe figure or members thereof to its support, and

Serial No. {165,198.

Figure 11 is a sectional view through the device shown in Figure 10.

'Elhe device of this invention, for purposes of illustration only, isshown asembodied in inanik in to be :used as a toy, but it is obviousthat the invention is not necessarily limited to the toy art, as it maybe effectively carried out in connection with advertising,

display, exhibition, or, in fact, any device .wherem it is required thatthe figure perform certain feats or go through, peculiar and attractivegymnastics or gyrations. Furthermore, it is to 'be understood that thefigure herein disclosed is for the purpose merely of exemplifying theinvention, and it is apparent that the inventive character istics may becarried out equally as well-and the effectrenderedfully as ludicrous oramusing by varying the type or ,style, of figure, the size, proportion,shape and contour of the parts thereof, by employing one or more figuresof like or diglfe ient styles in single apparatus, or by constructingthe figureor figures tosimulate animals or birds. The means hereinemployed tfcr supporting and imparting certain of the movements to thefigure is also merely for illustrative purposes, and it may he changed,varied or enlarged upon according to requirements without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, 12 is a platform or base of suitable size or shape,having standards 13 extending upwardly therefrom in. spaced parallelrelation, the standards being preferably positioned inwardly from oneend of the base. The upper portions of-these standards rotatahlyreceive-the ends of a support or shaft 14 the latter in the presentinstance constituting a small rod. As simple and effective means forimparting rotary movement to {thlSiShtlft a depressiible lever device isemployed; a lever'15 being pivoted as at :16 atone end to the upper partof the platform and preferably near one side thereof, the said leverbeing disposed longitudinally of theiplatform'. Tothis lever, :one endof a cord 17 is secuned; the said cord passing upwardly and s veraltimes around the shaft 14, then downwardly; being secured at itsopposite end to one end of anelastic member, such as a spring or rubberstra 18. Eli-is strapisattae'hed at its lower en to a fixed member, suchas one of the standards 13., The cord and strap are so tensioned thatthe lever will be normally held in raised or operative positions, andsufficient stress is exerted upon the end to cause the latter tofrictionally hold upon the rod or shaft 14. When the lever is depressed,the shaft 14 is caused to rot-ate in clockwise direction, the cordpaying out as will be understood and the band or spring 18 beingtensioned. Then the lever is released, the band, in assuming normalretracted position, will cause the cord to reverse its direction ofmovement, rotating the shaft in counterclockwise direction, and liftingthe lever to normal or initial position. 7

The figure which is employed in the present instance to carry theinvention into effect includes a body 20 having a head 21 at one end.inwardly from the head end of the body arms 22 are attached, suchattachment being by way of pivot pins 28. The outer ends of the arms aresecurely attached to the shaft 14. Near the extreme opposite or lowerend of the trunk or body 20 legs 24 are attached. such attachmentincluding the pivot pin 25. It will be understood that the legs and armsof the figure will be suitably proportioned, and may be made ofanysuitable material, the legs in the present instance being bent at theknee and assuming the angle shown. That part of each leg extendingbeyondthe pivot pin 25 is weighted as at 26, and the weights of each leg maybe of similar or varying sizes as desired, and they may be also disposedupon the leg portions at varying angles with respect to the shaft. Thehead 21 of the body is provided at its outer end with a weight 27, suchweight being preferably sufiiciently heavy to normally maintain the bodyin upright position with the head downward, and the weights 26 of thelegs also normally maintain legs 24 in a similar position.

The shaft 14 is provided with a counterbalance including the rod 28 andweight 29, the rod radiating from the shaft directly opposite to thearms 22, and it is preferred that the body or weight 29 be slightlyheavier than the figure, although, if desired,

the weight 29 may be of equal weight with the figure.

Normally, the toy and the movable parts thereof will assume the positionsubstantially as shown in Figure 1. When lever 15 is depressed, the cord17 will cause shaft 14to rotate in clockwise direction, and the figureattached thereto will maintain its normal position throughout a part ofthis cycle of movement. the weights 27 and 26 maintaining the body andlegs in such posi-- V tions. As the shaft moves further, the body 20 andthe legs 24 carried thereby will pass between standards 13, and the rearedges of legs 24 will move into contact with shaft has turnedsuificiently to bring aboutan overbalancing action of body 20, or in thecase of more rapid rotation of shaft 14, centrifugal action causes theleg end of the body to swing outwardly with shoulder pins 23 as pivots.In the case of slow rotation of shaft 14, after legs 24 have becomedisengaged from shaft 14, the body 20 will at once swing to normalposition, and weights 26 will cause legs 24 to correspondingly move.Gontinued depression of lever 15 causes shaft 14 to turn a number oftimes,

until the lowermost position of the lever has been reached, at whichtime the band 18 will have become tensioned. When the lever is released,the band in assuming normal or relaxed position will rotate shaft 14 incounter-clockwise direction, whereupon the figure will be caused torevolve about the shaft and in so traveling will assume positionsdifferent from those assumed during the winding up process, and willperform antics varying from those performed during the windingoperation. In the case of rapid rotation of shaft 14, the latter willrotate several times after. lever 15 has reached its lowest position,due to the momentum of the figure and the counter-balance 29. This freerotation of the shaft is permitted by reason of the loose grippingaction of cord 17 upon the shaft 14.

lnv Figure 5 of the drawings there is shown a pair of toy figures ofidentical construction, size and weight, which figures are disposed uponopposite sides of shaft 14, thus eliminating the counter-balance 29. Inby so constructing the device, it will be understood that the figureswill be disposed side by side on the shaft far enough apart not toengage or interfere with each other during the operation of the device.

It is preferred that the legs 24 be pivoted to the body independently ofeach other, and' the weights 26 thereon may be disposed atdiiferentpositions upon the inner ends of,

the said legs so that the latter will normally assume the position shownin Figure 1. By thus weighting the legs, peculiar effects are producedin operating the toy, as the legs frequently assume entirely differentangles with respect to the body. and it frequently happens that one legwill be engaged over support or rod 14 while the other swings freely orassi'un'es the position shown. by dotted lines Figure The upwardswinging movement of the legs may be ar rested by pins projectingoutwardly from; body 20 at suitable points,

till

normally When the body and its legs assume the position shown in d, itis apparent that further upward movement of the legs will be arrested bythe pins or stops 30, in which event the lever arm of the combinedweights of the legs is extended, thereby reversing the balance of theentire figure and the body will thereafter maintain the position shownin l, which is opposite to the normal position shown in Fig. 1. With thebody in the position shown in Fig. 4:, it is possible for either one orboth legs of the figure to assume either the full or dotted linepositions.

lu Figures 6 and T of the drawing I have shown. a slight modification,wherein the inner end of each leg is provided with a slot or opening 31through which extends a pin or screw 32 holding weight 33 to the leg. Itwill be observer that the slot 31 in the present instance is arcuate,being concentric with pivot 25, and it will be further ob served thatpin or screw 32 is eccentrically connected to weight 33. This manner ofmounting the weight enables a variety of adjustments to be made, wherebythe angles assumed by legs 24 may be changed.

In Figures 8 and 9 I have shown a fur ther modification. wherein thelegs 84:, instead of being independent of each other are connectedtogether in spaced parallel relation, and are pivoted as at between theparallel plates 86 representing the body. In

this instance, the body and movable members thereof may be formed ofstiff cardboard, composition, tin, or other suitable light materialpossessing sufficient stiffness to maintain proper shape and withstandusage, and the legs 34 may be stamped of one-piece and bent intermediateitsiends and providing a pocket beyond pivot for the lieception andaccommodation of t'heweight 37.

In Figures 10 and 11 I have shown a still further modification, whereinmeans is pro vided for producing a solid connection between the arms 22of the figure and the shaft 14:. The shaft may be shouldered as at 38,and the inner end of arm receives the smaller portion of the shaft. Aspring clutch men1- her comprising an annular dished plate aperturedcentrally as shown, is then passed over the small end of the shaft andengages arm 22 being then held against outward sliding movement upon theshaft by a key or pin 40 passing through a suitable opening in theshaft. The clutch member or plate 39 presses inwardly upon the arm 22sulficiently strong to maintain frictional contact between the said armand the'shoulder of shaft 14. This frictional contact will maintain aconnection between the arm and shaft sufiiciently tight to cause thefigure to rotate with the shaft. but the momentum exerted upon thefigures due to rapid rotation in its preferred e-n'lbodiments, but it isat 7 once apparent that variations may be made without departing fromthe invention. For n'istance, the body may be differently shaped,

the proportion of the weights may be differently distributed to thevarious parts .of

the body thus producing not only different positions the body willnormally assume when at rest but also controlling the gyrations orgymnastic-s carried out by the body when the shaft is rotating.Furthermore, the proportions of the body, legs, arms and head thereof,particularly the length of the arms and the angles thereof, as .well asthe length and inclination of the shank portions of the legs. One ormore figures may be attached to the shaft 314., and they may be locatedupon the shaft at angles to ieacihiother differing from those shown inFigure 5,. It

J also be understood that the shaft driving means herein disclosed byWay of illustra-ti'on need not be relied upon tocarryout the invention,as shaft 14 may be driven from any suitable. power source either uponthe base 12:01" at some distant point.

It will be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to berestricted by this disclosure, as many variations in the structuraldetails may he resorted to without departing from the invention asdefined by the claims.

Havmg thus fully described my inven- :lI-l-Oll, it claim 1. In a deviceof the classdescribed, .a notatable support, a body, arms connectedrigidly at one end to said support and pivoted at their opposite ends tosaid body, free swinging line TIQIS pivoted inwardly from one end tosaid body, and weigh-ts on the short ends of said members 'rtO normallymaintain said members in one position.

in a device of the class described, a rotatable support, a body, armsconnected rig-idly at one end to said support and pivoted at theiropposite ends said body, free swinging members carried by said body, andweights on said members tending normally to maintain the same in oneposition.

In a device of the class described, a support, .a body, an connected atone and to saidsupport and pivoted at its opposite end to said body, aweight on one end of said body tending normally to maintain the latterin one position, a free swinging member connected to the opposite end ofsaid body, and means tending normally to maintain said member in acertain position.

4. In a device of the class described, a support. an arm carried by saidsupport adapted tomove about the same, a'body pivoted inwardly from itsends to said arm, a

weight on said body removed from the pivotal connection of the armtherewith, a leg pivoted near the opposite end of said body, and aweight on said leg.

5. In a device of the class described, a

' support, an arm carried by said support and adapted to move about thesame, a body pivoted inwardly from its ends to said arm, a weight onsaid body removed from the pivotal connection of the arm therewith, aleg pivoted near the opposite end of said body, and a weight on said legadjustable toward or away from the pivot thereof.

6. In a device of the class described, a support, an arm carried by saidsupport and adapted to move about the same, a body pivoted inwardly fromits ends to said arm, a weight on said body removed from the pivotalconnection of the arm therewith, a leg pivoted near the opposite end ofsaid body, and a weight on said leg adjustable concentrically with andradially with respect to the pivot thereof.

7. In a device of the class described, a support, an arm connected toand adapted to move about said support, a body pivoted inwardly from oneend thereof to said support, a leg pivoted near one end of said body,and the combined weights of said leg and the adjacent portion of saidbody being less than the weight of the opposite end of said body.

8. In a device of the class described, a support, an arm carried by saidsupport and adapt-ed to move about the latter, a body pivoted to saidarm and adapted to spin upon its pivot, the said body being of suchlength as to at all times clear said support, a weight causing saidbody'to normally assume a position perpendicular to said support, a legpivoted near one end of said body and adapted at times to engage saidsupport, and a weight onsaid leg.

9. In a device of the class described, a rotatable support, a bodycarried by and spaced from said support and rotatable relatively to saidsupport, means tending normally to maintainsaid body in a given position, legs pivoted to said body, and means tending to maintain said legsat a predetermined angle with respect to said body.

10. In a device of the class described, a support, a body rotatableabout said support, a pivotal connection between said body and saidsupport, legs hinged to said body, a counterbalance on said body'tendingnormally to maintain the body with the legs uppermost, and means forrotating said body.

11. In a device of the class described, a support, a body movable aboutsaid support, free swinging members pivoted to said body,

weights on said members, the said weights being differently positionedupon their respective members to produce dilferent pendular periods fortheir respective members.

12. In a device of the class described, a support, a body rotatableabout said support, the body being at all times out of con-- tactwithsaid support, members pivoted to said body, a weight tendingnormally to maintain said body in a predetermined position, weightstending normally to maintain the members in a predetermined position,and the said members adapted to engage with said support when said bodyis in cer tain positions with respect to said support.

13. In a device of the class described, a rotatable horizontallydisposed support, an arm connected at one end to said support, a body, ahead on said body, a pivotal connection between said arm andsaid bodyinwardly from the head thereof, legs pivoted to the trunk end of saidbody, a weight on said head normally maintaining said body in verticalposition,'weights on said legs normally maintaining said legssubstantially alined with said body, and the said legs adapted to engagethe said support.

let. In a device of the class described, a support, a body rotatableabout said support, a pivotal connection between said body and saidsupport, free swinging members on said body, and means tending normallyto maintain said body with its member carrying portion uppermost.

15. In a device of the class described, a support, a body rotatableabout said support, a pivotal connection between said body and saidsupport, free swinging members on said body, means tending normally tomaintain said body with said members uppermost, and means tending tomaintain said members with their free ends uppermost.

16. In a device of the class described, a support, a body rotatableabout said support, a pivotal connection between said body and saidsupport, a weight on said body removed from said pivotal point, a treeswinging member carried by said body at a point on the side of the pivotopposite to said body weight, said body weight tending to maintain thebody with said member uppermost, a weight on said member tending tomaintain same with its free end uppermost, and means operating when thebody assumes a certain position to cause a reversal of the balance ofthe body.

17. In a device of the class described, a

body pivoted inwardly from its ends, a.

weight on said body removed from said pivot, a free swinging membercarried by said bodyat a point on the side of the pivot opposite to said.body weight, said body weight tending to maintain the body with saidmember uppermost, a weight on said member tending to maintain same withits free end uppermost, and means operating when the body assumescertain positions to cause a reversal of the balance of the body.

18." In a device at the class described, J

body pivoted inwardly from its ends, a Weight on said body removed fromsaid pivot, a free swinging member carried by said body at a point onthe side of the pivot opposite to said body Weight, said body Weighttending to maintain the body With said member uppermost, a Weight onsaid member tending to maintain the latter With its free end uppermost,and cooperating means upon the member and body to arrest 10 the upwardmovement of the member When the Weighted end of the body is above thepivotal support thereof.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signature.

ARTHUR W. TUPPER.

